A member of the New York Jets' Flight Crew is suing the team, alleging she was paid the equivalent of below minimum wage. / Robert Scheer, USA TODAY Sports

by Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY Sports

by Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY Sports

A former New York Jets cheerleader, alleging pay she received amounted to less than minimum wage and that her out-of-pocket expenses included $45 weekly for hair straightening required by the team, has filed a class action lawsuit against the team.

The lawsuit was filed in New Jersey on behalf of a plaintiff identified as Krystal C, whose identity was withheld to avoid harassment, as it is by NFL teams. She says she was paid $150 per game â?? but not for others hours of required work â?? as a member of the New York Jets Flight Crew during the 2012 season. The suit is similar to others filed by cheerleaders against the Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills.

"I think that it's an important issue. It bespeaks a culture that does not value the work that the women are doing for the team," said Patricia Pierce, a Philadelphia attorney who represents the Krystal C. "Not to say that they should be paid the same amount as the athletes, but at least they are entitled to minimum wage if not more.''

Through a team spokesman, the Jets declined comment.

The suit says Krystal C was paid $150 for each game at which she performed, subject to withholding tax. But it says she was not paid for practices (three hours per evening, three days a week), training camp and other appearances, hours required to practice routines at home and other duties.

Pierce said that based on the actual hours she worked the pay for a season of $1,800 amounted to $3.77 per hour. The attorney said the minimum wage at the time in New Jersey was $7.25 per hour.

"They also had expenses they were required to put out of pocket, like for travel to stadium, travel to practice, hairstyling," said Pierce. "She had wavy hair and they â?¦ made her straighten it so that she had the 'Jets' look."'

The suit alleges: "Plaintiff had naturally curly hair, but the Jets required her to wear her hair straight which in turn required her to see a hair stylists each at an approximate cost of $45 per styling."

The claim was brought in the Superior Court of New Jersey/Bergen County. It seeks a jury trial and asks for "compensatory and all other damages available under the New Jersey Wage and Hour Law."

"My client thought long and hard about whether or not to bring an action after she saw the Raiderettes lawsuit because there was a lot about the experience she really valued and still does value," Pierce said. "It was an exciting experience. But on the other hand, you shouldn't have to basically pay to do a job."

Among the other allegations in the suit:

-- The Jets required cheerleaders to maintain their uniforms: "Each member worked approximately one hour per week on uniform maintenance, for which they were not compensated."

-- They were required to work in production of a "Flight Crew Calendar,'' the sale of calendars and calendar signings.

-- At each rehearsal, one Flight Crew member was required to give a "motivational" gift to each of the other members and the director of the Flight Crew. The suit alleges those gifts ranged in total price from $30-$200.